Code of Conduct

We are proud of the way that all Symfony conferences have grown over the years, and it wouldn’t
be possible without the positivity, enthusiasm and support of our fantastic attendees. We would
like to do everything possible to ensure the event stays the open, friendly and participative
occasion it has become, and want all attendees to have an enjoyable experience.

All attendees are expected to show respect and courtesy throughout SymfonyLive Berlin 2017, and
any associated social event. We take any breach of this code of conduct very seriously and any
delegates, speakers, exhibitors, organizers, or volunteers found to be in breach of this policy
will be held accountable for their actions. As organizers of the conference, we will enforce
this policy throughout SymfonyLive Berlin 2017, and actively seek to ensure the enjoyment and
comfort of all attendees.

Diversity and inclusion for all within our industry is extremely important to us. The below is
our policy and is forked from the team at SymfonyLive Berlin 2017. We are always working to make
this better and welcome input from the community to help us make SymfonyLive Berlin 2017 a truly
open, welcoming and safe environment.

In brief

SymfonyLive Berlin 2017 is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for
everyone, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender-reassignment, disability,
physical appearance, race, religion or belief. This means that we will not tolerate any form of
harassment or discrimination, from anyone connected to the conference, regardless of whether
they are a speaker, attendee, exhibitor or any other party.

All communication and interaction should be appropriate for a professional audience, including
people from a variety of different backgrounds. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate
at any time, including talks, and must not be used. Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down
other attendees; if you disagree with what someone says, please do so respectfully and in a
civil and adult manner. In short, behave professionally. Remember that harassment and
discriminatory jokes, including sexist, racist, or anything exclusionary, are simply not
appropriate at SymfonyLive Berlin 2017, and do you as an individual, an injustice. Any attendees
found to be violating these rules will be asked to leave the conference immediately and without
a refund, at the sole discretion of the organizers.

Tell me more

Harassment includes verbal comments which reinforce social structures of domination. Harassment
creates an unpleasant and hostile environment for its victims. It may relate to gender, gender
identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age,
religion or belief. It can take the form of sexual images in public spaces, the deliberate
intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording of other people, the
sustained disruption of talks or other events, the inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome
sexual attention. All of these behaviors are wholly unacceptable.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior will be expected to comply immediately.
Exhibitors in the expo hall, sponsor or vendor booths, or similar activities are also subject to
this anti-harassment policy. In particular, exhibitors should not use sexualized images,
activities, or other materials. Booth staff should not use sexualized
clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment.

Consequences of unacceptable behavior

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, SymfonyLive Berlin 2017 organizers may take any
action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference
with no refund and/or blacklisting them from further SymfonyLive events.

Contact information

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other
concerns, please contact a member of conference staff. Conference staff will be wearing
‘SymfonyLive Berlin 2017 Staff’ shirts. You may also contact venue staff and ask to be put in
touch with us.

If you feel your safety is in jeopardy, please do not hesitate to call 110 to reach the German
emergency services.

Conference staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local
police, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the
conference.

Incident handling

Our staff will handle any incidents discreetly and in confidence. They will be thoroughly
informed of this code of conduct ahead of the event. Wherever possible, we ask that you do not
disclose public information about the incident until staff has had sufficient time in which to
address the situation, this includes not posting on social media about the incident, until we
have had an opportunity to ensure the safety of all involved. This is as much for your
protection as it is the other attendees.

When reporting the event to staff, please try to gather as much information as available, but do
not interview people about the incident or do anything which may put yourself in danger. Staff
will assist you in writing the report/collecting information. The important information consists
of:

Identifying information (name on badge) of the participant doing the harassing

The behavior that was in violation

The approximate time of the behavior (if different than the time the report was made)

The circumstances surrounding the incident

Other people involved in the incident

Our staff will be well briefed on how to deal with the incident and how to proceed further with
the situation. We will do everything we can to deal with the incident as sensitively as
possible.

The Golden rules:

We are considerate,
We are welcoming,
We are respectful,
We are collaborative,
And expect the same from you.

We are all in this together! Thanks for making SymfonyLive Berlin 2017 awesome for everyone!